For many people, playing golf isn’t just about spending a few hours out on the course on a sunny day. It’s also about building relationships, growing businesses and advancing careers. Golf tournaments are a great way to get the benefits of golf and give back to the community at the same time.
“Golf is a go-to for a lot of people, companies, foundations and groups, because so many people play golf and like golf,” says Tim Harrison, Phoenix Children’s vice president of corporate partnerships, special events and grants philanthropy.
“As people are having a great day out, they can also feel really good about making a difference and making an impact,” Harrison says. “Oftentimes, we’ll see business leaders bring key clients, board members or people who are important to them from a relationship standpoint. As much as golf tournaments can be great fundraisers, they can be really strong networking and business development events.”
Making a Difference on the Course
Golf tournaments mainly raise funds through sponsorships, foursomes and individual golfers. Tournaments can also include raffles, silent or live auctions, the purchase of mulligans, 50/50 raffles with helicopter or hot-air balloon ball drops and opportunities to donate along the course.
Organizers of golf tournaments benefiting Phoenix Children’s aim to create a connection between the children and families who get care and the golfers who are supporting them. “Sometimes, we’ll have our patient families or ambassadors out on the course, telling their stories and connecting people to our mission,” Harrison says. “They talk about the impact of Phoenix Children’s on their lives. It makes it very personal.”
Harrison points out the value of these tournaments and the commitment of the people who participate, donate, sponsor and organize them. “We’re very grateful for the people who are willing to put these on, because they always deliver significant revenues back for us,” he says. “We know there’s a lot of planning, and it takes a lot of time to execute a tournament.”
Phoenix Children’s Golf Tournaments Throughout Arizona
Phoenix Children’s cares for kids from throughout the state, and companies statewide show their support by hosting golf tournaments
PHOENIX CHILDREN’S
Phoenix Children’s hosts an annual golf tournament, sponsored this year by BreakAway IT. The event allows Phoenix Children’s to purchase equipment and technology, support game-changing research and clinical trials, launch innovative programs and provide family-centered services. It has raised $12.6 million over 26 years
PCH50
PCH50, a group of 50 community leaders who raise funds for Phoenix Children’s, launched the Half Round Showdown presented by Mamitas, a fast-paced, high-intensity nighttime tournament. In its first year, the event raised $400,000 for the Behavioral Health Emergency Response Team.
KNIGHT SWIFT
TRANSPORTATION
Knight Swift hosts a Children’s Miracle Network tournament and brings in partners and vendors from across the country. It includes Phoenix Children’s patient ambassadors throughout the event, from singing the national anthem to handing out goodies to golfers on the course.
DESERT FINANCIAL
FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1999, the Desert Financial Foundation golf tournament has raised nearly $8 million for 1 Darn Cool School at Phoenix Children’s, a fully accredited K–12 school on campus. Its 2025 tournament raised a record-breaking $670,000.
LAYTON CONSTRUCTION
Layton Construction brings in partners and vendors for an annual golf tournament that raises $350,000+ a year for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Phoenix Children’s
MITER FOUNDATION
MITER Foundation, the philanthropic arm of window and door manufacturer MITER Brands, hosts an annual tournament that benefits Camp Rainbow, Phoenix Children’s summer camp for children with cancer or a blood disorder
CLIFF CASTLE CASINO HOTEL
Now in its third year, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel’s Cliff Castle Sedona Golf Classic has raised more than $90,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hope Fund.
NUCOR STEEL KINGMAN
As a new partner in 2025, Nucor Steel Kingman chose Phoenix Children’s as the beneficiary of its charity golf tournament, raising over $157,000 to support the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
To find out more about supporting Phoenix Children's through golf tournaments, email partnerships@phoenixchildrens.com.
